- 9-
It will be an offence to exhibit a Category III
film to a person under the age of 18 years as provided for
in clause 20. It will be a defence to such a charge that
the person charged took all reasonable precautions to
prevent the film being exhibited
to underage viewers.
Administrative guidance will be given to the film industry
on what might constitute reasonable precautions'.
تالفة
le
After careful consideration
are not proposing
B
to make the viewing of a Category III film by an underage
person a criminal offence. However the Authority will
advise parents in writing when their children are found at
such screenings.
ster
le
(3)
I acknowledge the concern of the industry on the
practical problems of enforcing the underage rule but I
would point out that the exhibition of Category III films
is optional. Those operators who are content to exhibit
films which conform with current censorship standards will
not have to accept the extra responsibility of ensuring
that under
under
erfage persons are excluded.
The Authority will have power under clause 23 to
appoint inspectors to undertake checks of all cinemas to
enforce the film classification system and to initiate
prosecutions against offending operators. It is proposed
to appoint five inspectors to provide the necessary
coverage for the 115 local cinemas.
Stet